By Vivian Emoni

The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has graduated and offered certificates to 12 of its staff on international trade programme.

Dr Nonye Ayeni, Director-General of the council, made the remark at the graduation ceremony for Class 2021, Level 4 Diploma on International Trade Programme in Abuja.

Ayeni said that the programme was a great opportunity and significant achievement to the participants, adding that 22 people started the programme but only 12 people graduated.

She said that the graduates undertook rigorous training, invested in various professional development, balanced work, and earned credentials that place them among a growing class of globally competitive trade experts.

“This is no small feat, I commend the graduands and their dedication. It is a great honour to celebrate a truly significant achievement.

“This achievement is not just a personal milestone, it is a national asset, because exports are not just a policy priority, they are an economic necessity.

“They are the bridge between local industries and global markets. They are also the engines of job creation, industrial development, and foreign exchange stability.

“For Nigeria to truly thrive beyond oil, we must collaborate to build strong, sustainable, and diversified export value chains,” she said.

The D-G said the work of growing exports, value addition, and linking Nigerian products and services to international markets was critical.

She said the work was not only to Nigeria’s economic development, but also for unlocking the full potential of UK-Nigeria trade relationship.

She said that the graduates were ambassadors, not just for Nigeria’s trade ambition and its execution, but for the UK-Nigeria partnership.

Ayeni advised the graduands to use the skills acquired to help local businesses globally, adding that they should use their networks to connect Nigerian products to British consumers.

She added that they should also use their influence to create a trade environment that would be open, fair, and forward-looking.

She, however, commended the NEPC for a clear vision and commitment to building the capacity.

According to Ayeni, the partnership with the ITC (International Trade Centre) and UK Chartered Institute represents exactly the kind of collaboration that needs to be seen; more of practical, skill and future-facing.

She said that the partnership also represented a very good gesture and a good collaboration, adding that ‘‘investing in people means that you have invested in progress.

“And today, we see the returns of that vision, a cohort of trade professionals ready to expand Nigeria’s footprint on the global stage,” she said.

Mrs Aissatou Diallo, Chief Office for Africa ITC, Geneva, Switzerland, who spoke virtually, said that the ceremony was not only the celebration of academic achievement, but also a testament to Nigeria’s strategic investment in trade knowledge.

“We are proud that NEPC continues to lead by example under the leadership of Ayeni as its members and supervisors seem to respond to the demands of a dynamic and evolving global trade environment.

 “By equipping NEPC staff with globally recognised trade skills, we are collectively advancing Nigeria’s export potential and advancing the integration of the NEPC in the global trade market,” she said.

Mrs Evelyn Obidike, Director, Product Development, NEPC, who took first position in the programme, said she was grateful to God for all the support and strength granted to the participants in the programme.

“Today is a great day and this is a programme that we started in 2021 and we are able to graduate today.

“The programme was very robust and very practical; we learned new skills and we had new knowledge that we can use not only to train other young officers coming up but also to advise the exporters.

“The programme can also help us capture the African Continental Free Trade as well as European market,” she said.

Obidike thanked the NEPC, ITC and other stakeholders who supported the programme. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka